STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Charles Fall, an ex-City Hall aide and chief of staff to Staten Island's Parks commissioner running for the North Shore state Assembly seat, said improving transportation, addressing the boroughs opioid epidemic and increasing funding for education are his key priorities.

In a meeting with the Staten Island Advance Editorial Board, Fall also said that he wants to reform New York's use of cash bail.

"Nobody should have to go to jail and stay in jail because of the funds that they don't have," Fall said.

Fall volunteered for Mayor Bill de Blasio's 2013 campaign and joined City Hall in January 2014 as the administration's Staten Island borough director and citywide Islamic liaison.

Fall worked on making Eid Al-Fitr an official Department of Education holiday. He also helped implement New York City's universal pre-kindergarten program.

He left to work for Staten Island's Parks Department commissioner.

Fall joined the Staten Island Democratic Party in 2010, joined the body's executive committee in 2016, and stepped down from his position after announcing his run for office.

New York's state primary elections are Thursday, Sept. 13.

Here's where he stands on key Island issues:

TRANSPORTATION

Fall said that improving transportation on the North Shore was critical and pledged to support and pursue items from his transportation policy plan.

Fall supports a "broad" congestion pricing proposal to be debated in the state Legislature. He also said he wants to gives New York City Design-Build authority for infrastructure projects.

Fall said that he would also push for North Shore Bus Rapid Transit and a greenbelt that runs parallel to the bus route for runners and cyclists.

"It's affordable to do a BRT right now," said Fall.

Fall also proposes to revamp the local bus network in a similar way to Staten Island's express bus network's overhaul, including more bus-only lanes and smart traffic signals.

Fall said that he would lend his voice to supporting two-way tolling on the Verrazano Bridge and for full HOV lanes on all local expressways.

NY WHEEL

Fall called the situation with the New York Wheel "a disaster" and said that he has no confidence that the Wheel will happen.

Fall said he doesn't believe the city should provide money to save the project and said that this could be an opportunity to rethink how the space is used, suggesting alternatives such as an open park space.

However, Fall said that he doesn't believe the project's failure will stop development on the North Shore.

"I don't think it's going to hurt the developments nearby because we still have construction that is ongoing at Lighthouse Point and the hotels that are going up, which is a positive thing," said Fall.

The candidate also added that the community should be kept in the loop when a major development like this has stalled and pledged to give "quarterly updates" to constituents on major projects if elected.

BAY STREET REZONING

Fall said that he supports the Bay Street rezoning, but added that the city should aggressively use it as leverage for enhancements to the community and floated the idea of using the rezoning to build a new recreational center much like Cromwell Center.

"There is a great need for recreational spaces in general," said Fall. "I personally hear from parents that [say] 'I just don't know where to put my kid.'"

Fall also added that he would need assurance that residents won't be displaced.

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Fall said that he supports legalizing recreational marijuana, but added that he'd want to see some sort of remedy in the legislation for parents who've lost custody of their children because of marijuana arrests. Fall also added that he'd want to see a criminal justice component as well for people who've been incarcerated for marijuana use.

"I would support it if it does address that matter," said Fall.

OPIOID ADDICTION

Fall said that he'd partner with Staten Island's state delegation to add weight to legislative proposals that address the opioid crisis.

Fall also said that that educating children about the potential impact of opioids before they're exposed to the drug is essential.

Fall added that he would seek to improve coordination between local hospitals and outpatient recovery and detox centers.

COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER

Fall said that he supports the creation of a Community Justice Center, which offers social services and alternatives to jail for low-level crimes, on Staten Island.

"I think this is an opportunity to bridge the gap between our community and the justice system my understanding is that it has been working very well in Red Hook, our community has been very receptive towards it and I'll be working behind it and support it with our district attorney," said Fall.

PORT RICHMOND HOTEL

Fall said that he's opposed to the creation of the Port Richmond hotels and said that they would ruin the character of the neighborhood.

"I walked probably every block on Port Richmond and I can tell you that there are a number of homes that have been demolished and there are houses being replaced because of that demolition," said Fall. "And it breaks my heart."

BOBBY DIGI OLISA ALLEGATIONS

Fall had strong words when it came to accusations against North Shore Assembly rival Bobby Digi Olisa that include improper action as a landlord, ignoring building violations, bankruptcies and other issues.

Fall said that voters already have a "lack of trust" in state politicians because of the frequent high-level corruption scandals in Albany and told the board that North Shore voters shouldn't vote for Olisa due to his improprieties as a landlord and businessman.

"Our community doesn't need any distractions, they need folks who're going to go to Albany focus on the issues that are near and dear to our hearts," said Fall.